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Nage problem : NSCN-IM upbeat on peace talks

	June 26, 2006

Ending speculation about the abrogation of the

nine-year ceasefire with the Centre, the

National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-

Muivah) said last week that the next two rounds of

talks will throw up “positive results” for the outfit.

This was announced by the NSCN(IM) leadership

after the latest round of talks with the Central leaders

at The Hague on June 24. The Indian team at the

talks was led by Union Minister Oscar Fernandes.

Leaders of the NSCN(IM) submitted a 30-point

‘charter of demands’ to New Delhi’s representatives.

“We have put up our demand for a federal

arrangement between India and Nagaland,” V

Horam, a senior leader of the NSCN (IM) said. “The

kind of relationship between the two will be worked

out during the next rounds of discussions, so that it

could be incorporated in the Constitutions of India

and Nagaland,” he said.

In a message conveyed by the Naga leaders

Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah, the outfit

said all the substantive issues including the

integration of contiguous Naga-inhabited areas were

discussed at the talks.

The NSCN (I-M) leadership is understood to

have pressed for a change in the ceasefire ground

rules as these have been facing renewed challenge

from the rival NSCN (Khaplang), which opposes its

demand for integration.

The next round of talks will be held during the

first fortnight of next month, sources added. The

major issue on the agenda this time round has been

that of autonomy for Nagaland as proposed by the

Centre.

The NSCN (I-M) has been demanding inclusion

of Naga-inhabited areas of Nagaland, Manipur,

Assam and Arunachal Pradesh in its proposed

Nagalim.

The move of the United Naga Council (UNC)

of Manipur to try handing over hill house tax first

to Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and then to

Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil has attracted

protests in the Imphal Valley.